Joe Gores wrote a very interesting article on writing short
mystery fiction that was originally published in the magazine
The Writer. The article "Short Fiction--With a Difference"
was reprinted in the book WRITING SUSPENSE AND MYSTERY
FICTION edited by A.S. Burack (The Writer, Inc. 1977).
Gores focuses on the writing of "Goodbye, Pops" taking it
from his initial creation through revisions suggested by
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine's great editor Fred Dannay.
It's a fascinating article on the creative process and the
positive interplay between writer and editor. The point is
reached where Dannay wrote Gore "I will, of course, run the
present version if you wish me to. But I still think that the
last scene is not as strong and dramatic as it could or
should be..." Dannay then gave a specific suggestion and
closed with "Please think it over, Joe, and if you agree,
send a revised last page..."
Gores did the revision and "Goodbye, Pops" won the Edgar for
the best mystery short of the year. Dannay was a wonderful
editor and this piece illustrates how he worked with
writers.
Richard Moore
--- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, "foxbrick"
<foxbrick@...> wrote:
>
> --- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, DJ-Anonyme@
wrote:
> >
> > Richard wrote:
> >
> > ". . . and was twice selected to be a witness
to electrocutions
(last
> > minute reprieves saved me from
that),"
> >
> > Joe Gores wrote a very moving story, Second
Coming, about being
such a
> > witness.
>
> "The Second Coming" and "Goodbye, Pops," as read by
me as a kid in
> either Robert Arthur or Harold Q. Masur (probably
the latter)
ALFRED
> HITCHCOCK PRESENTS: volumes, are stories that have
stuck with me
for
> decades, and will probably continue to do so.
"Coming" might even
have
> helped shape my opinion of the practice.
>
> Todd Mason
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 25 Oct 2007 EDT